Bird Health Awareness Week 2019

Webinar Follow Up Questions

1. How can we get NPIP testing more affordable? It is my understanding that there are quite a 

few States that it is free for. That is not the case in Utah?

In many states, NPIP testing is free as a part of the avian influenza surveillance program 

(supported by Cooperative Agreement funds). I recommend that the poultry owner contact his 

or her State Veterinarian’s office for an explanation of the program in that particular state.

2. Is there anything in the works that will eradicate Marek’s Disease such as mandatory 

vaccination of all hatcheries or NPIP breeders?

Marek’s disease vaccination is performed at most hatcheries on chicks shortly after they hatch. 

Most reputable breeders will not procure chicks unless they have been vaccinated. There are no 

regulations to enforce Marek’s disease vaccination. (Just as measles vaccination is strongly 

recommended of all children, but not strictly enforced.)

3. I have heard that there is no serum available so those of us that want to get NPIP cannot at 

the moment and it can be a few years away is this true?

NPIP does not provide “serum” (which is actually the liquid portion of blood).

What the NPIP does is sponsor a testing program for poultry breeders to provide assurance that 

poultry are free of economically important diseases caused by Salmonella pullorum, Salmonella 

gallinarum, Salmonella enteritidis, Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Mycoplasma synoviae, 

Mycoplasma meleagridis, and avian influenza.

4. Does using vinegar as a cleaning/disinfectant agent do any good (i.e., does it kill the bacteria, 

etc.)? This is in a backyard coop. 

Vinegar does have an antibacterial effect, but a better disinfectant is household bleach (sodium 

hypochorite), which is more effective and economically feasible. However, a 50:50 mixture of 

white vinegar and water will disinfect with a lower risk of chemical residue.

5. Can you discuss how the organization will address the lack of access to NPIP programs for 

California participants? As well as the expense for a backyard participants?

Any producers who are interested in NPIP participation will be considered. USDA will approve 

those that meet NPIP’s high standards, including biosecurity practices. In California, a large 

proportion of its backyard poultry premises have not met the standards, which is an obstacle to 

increased participation.

6. What does watery green diarrhea indicate?

Watery green diarrhea is a common clinical sign of virulent Newcastle disease (vND), but can 

also be caused by other diseases. If you see this sign in your poultry, report it to your state or 

federal animal health officials so we can test and determine if it is vND or something else.

7. How often should you thoroughly clean a coop or run?

A thorough cleaning requires the removal of all organic debris (litter/chicken manure/feces) 

followed by disinfection using a reputable disinfectant. A thorough cleaning and disinfection

should be done before a new batch of chicks/chickens are introduced into the coop.
8. I raise birds in my backyard as many may also do, is a coop that touches the soil secure in 

terms of diseases? or must all coops stand on a solid floor of wood or stone, or stilts?

Coops with an impermeable floor allows for a more thorough cleaning and disinfection. A coop 

does not have to be “on stilts” unless there is frequent flooding.

9. Does Lysol help as biosecurity?

Yes, Lysol is an effective disinfectant you can use as part of your biosecurity efforts. Use it 

according to label directions, including the correct contact time to ensure it is effective.

10. What risks do ordering hatching eggs pose? Is it different from chicks or adult birds?

There is a reduced risk of procuring diseased birds when ordering hatching eggs, or chicks, from 

hatcheries that have adopted biosecurity measures promoted by NPIP. Reputable hatcheries 

usually order hatching eggs from breeders that are enrolled in the NPIP.

11. Is NDV still spreading in California?

From all indications, vND is still spreading in the California outbreak. The two major factors 

contributing to the spread of vND is the illegal movement of exposed birds, and the absence of 

biosecurity measures on the individual poultry premises.

12. You mentioned all 50 states have NPIP. Is this true of Hawaii?

Yes, Hawaii became an NPIP Official State Agency (OSA) on March 23, 2018, but there are 

currently no NPIP participating premises in the state.

13. Which is more effective shoe covers or a foot bath?

A foot bath which is properly maintained (frequently replenished with a disinfectant) is more 

effective. Shoe covers can be contaminated with dirt and debris.

14. I take from this presentation that free-ranging is discouraged, because of the risk of contact 

with wild birds. Is that correct?

Yes, wild birds can carry and transmit diseases and internal/external parasites which can affect 

domestic poultry. The best example of that was during the 2014-15 H5N2 Highly Pathogenic 

Avian Influenza (HPAI) which was carried in the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi flyways by 

exposed migratory waterfowl.

15. Many sources say to not use bleach to disinfect incubators and many just say soap and water. 

I used a 25% bleach solution and rinsed very well. What would be an acceptable way to 

sterilize incubators?

An effective method of disinfecting an incubator is: 

1. Spray it with a 10% bleach/water solution and wait for about ten minutes; 

2. Then rinse it and, scrub it with dish soap and water, and rinse thoroughly again;

3. Then let it dry in the sun.

 16. Wild birds like to frequent my yard this time of year. Should I deter them to keep my birds 

 safe? If so how?

The best way to guard against exposure to wild birds is to keep your birds confined in a coop, or 

a yard covered with fine mesh to prevent direct contact with wild birds. To minimize attracting 

wild birds, all feed spillages outside the coop or yard should be immediately cleaned up. The 
location of the coop or pen should not be in the vicinity or an open pond which invariably 

attracts migratory waterfowl.

17. How should i go about cleaning a coop with a dirt floor? and what solution should I use to 

clean the wood of the coop?

1. Remove all the manure, dirt and cobwebs- Take out all the usable, throwaway and 

leftover items and completely drain water containers. Scrupulously sweep the coop to get 

rid of the filthy material. Remove manure and dirt by using the shovel.

2. Using a 50:50 mixture water and white vinegar in a bucket and then spray it on the floor 

and scrub (with a brush) the walls, roosts, nest boxes with the solution.

3. Rinse your coop twice to assured clean and relatively free of bacteria and viruses. After

the final rinsing, allow your coop to dry (opening the coop doors and windows) to 

facilitate drying. The warmth of sunlight as it acts as a natural disinfectant.

18. Do you need to wear dust masks when cleaning the pen? How often should we clean the 

coop?

Yes, at the very least, a dust mask should be worn when cleaning the pen to minimize the risk 

of inhaling dust and mold spores. The coop should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected 

before the introduction of a new batch or chicks or chickens into the pen.

19. Is it alright to rinse (rather than wash with soap & water) eggs off with warm water before 

refrigeration?

Clean eggs that have dirt and debris with fine sandpaper, a brush, or a cloth. Don’t wash 

freshly collected eggs. Additional information is available at:

https://www.cdc.gov/features/salmonellapoultry/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/features/salmonellaeggs/index.html